Always Doesn't Last Forever
Chapter 1: BetrayalDisclaimer: I own nothing off Inuyasha! Just the plot and any original characters!
Kagome watched in silence as Inuyasha left the camp once again to be with his lover, Kikyo. For over a month now he had been meeting her secretly at midnight. After the first night that she followed him Kagome knew that he would never be able to care for her. Sure he would protect his 'shard finder' until the Jewel was complete but other than that she played no important role in his life. And lately whenever he had looked at her she knew that it wasn't Kagome that he was seeing, but Kikyo.
Why couldn't he ever see me for who I am? She cried out silently and didn't even bother to wipe away the tears that trickled down her face. Inuyasha's betrayal still hurt as deeply now as it had that night when she hid in the shadows. Why Inuyasha? They hadn't even gone looking for the shards during that entire month. Okay Kagome, now is the time in your life that you have to decide what to do. If you stay here, you'll be second place forever. If you move on, finish collecting the shards you can complete this quest, go back home, and hopefully find someone who love you for who you are, not what you are.
Once put that way there was really no choice at all and she silently gathered all of her things together and looked at her companions for the last time. Sango and Miroku, so often at ends with each other and yet their love for the other was so obvious to her. "I wish you joy." She whispered softly and turned to look at little Shippo, the kitsune kit that she had traveled with for nearly two years. After Inuyasha, she would probably miss him the most. "Goodbye." She whispered, picked up her pack, bow, and quiver and left the campsite. She would have until dawn before Inuyasha noticed she was gone, maybe longer if he was too tired to notice her absence. In any case, she would be long gone; any scent that she might have left behind would be washed away in the river that she was planning on walking in.
Just as her feet touched the river a soft voice called out. "Kagome?" Shippo called and ran up to her. "Where are you going?"
"To finish the quest, Shippo." She answered sadly.
"Alone!?" He cried.
"Shh… Yes, alone." She replied
"But why? Is it because of that idiot, Inuyasha?" He demanded.
"Shippo, don't speak so of Inuyasha." She scolded him gently.
"But he promised to protect you!"
"He made a promise that was never his to make." She corrected him softly.
"Then I'll protect you!" He whispered fiercely, leaping into her arms and hugged her tight.
"Shippo, you can't."
""If you don't let me come with you I'll go wake up Sango and Miroku." He threatened seriously.
Kagome sighed and lowered her head in defeat. "Alright." She whispered and headed downstream.
Far above, Lady Fate watched the scene below her sadly. Despite common belief she did not direct mortal's lives, merely gave them choices in those lives. But just as she could be kind so could she be cruel. Her hair was a red as vibrant as her temper and curly as her own fickleness. Her eyes were ever changing to reflect her moods and now they were the deep blue of sorrow as she watched one of her favorite mortals leave the little band. What a fool the hanyou is. She thought angrily. No matter. Until the girl finds a protector I, Lady Fate, will watch after the girl. She decided. It was a promise that would both humble and frighten many a mortal. But first…
Shortly after Inuyasha stumbled back into the campsite it began to rain within the hour. They needed to move from the camp at which they'd remained for a month and move on to a place that provided more shelter.
"Get up wench!" Inuyasha barked in the general direction that Kagome had laid down the previous night before when he didn't hear her getting up.
"Inuyasha, she's not there." Miroku said worriedly and the hanyou pulled his thoughts from the time he'd spent with Kikyo and turned to look for Kagome. She was gone, along with all of her things.
"Shippo's gone too!" Sango yelled over the rain and Inuyasha ran to where Kagome had bedded down so many nights. Faintly he could smell salty water, it was like she had cried before leaving and he could sense the incredible sadness and hurt that she felt before leaving. Could she have found out about Kikyo and me? He wondered guiltily.
Betrayal… The wind seemed to moan.
Love… Betrayed…
Betrayer…
Promise… Broken… It whispered in his ear and he fell to his knees to the muddy ground.
"What have I done?" He whispered aloud. Although he couldn't love Kagome he had never meant to hurt her, it would be like hurting Kikyo. But he didn't love Kagome. But who will protect her now? He wondered. What have I done?
Lady Fate looked down angrily at the hanyou. The fool had shoved the best thing he could ever have away from him and she had no intentions of giving him any more chances. It was Kagome's happiness that she would worry about now. Enjoy the life of damnation that you chose Inuyasha. For you will not enjoy the path you so rashly took for long. And then, she was gone.
Kagome and Shippo had just managed to find a cave to rest in before the rain started to fall. "Well this is good. Inuyasha won't be able to track us now." Shippo said wearily.
"I know." Kagome replied, set her pack down and pulled out her bedroll and sleeping bag. She was just as weary as Shippo and ready to get a few hours of rest before they continued on. After she was settled in she opened the covers a bit and smiled at Shippo. "Come on Shippo. We can share." She said and the kitsune dove happily into the covers and curled p next to her stomach. Within a minute, they were both sound asleep.
"I see a cave Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken yelled over the driving rain to his master, who was holding a shivering Rin in his arms.
"Where?" He asked his retainer coldly.
"Straight ahead milord." He answered fearfully and Sesshoumaru headed for the cave. However, once he entered he found that it was already occupied…
~ And that's it for the first chapter. Not to worry, I'll have the next out soon. IF, I get reviews! So review! Thanks! ~